Yeast cake forming and wrapping machine



Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,176

E. L. SMITH ET AL YEAST CAKE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE v Filed Aug.31, 1 21 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1929.

E. L. SMITH ET AL YEAST CAKE FORMING AND WRAP-PING MACHINE -6Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 31, 1921 ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,176

E. L. SMITH ET AL YEAST CAKE] FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug.31, 1921 e sheets sheet '5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,176

E. L. SMITH ET AL YEAST CAKE FORMING AND WRAPPING 'MACHINE Filed Aug.31. '1921 e Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR 4 ATTORNEYS Feb. 12, 1929. 1,702,176

E. L. SMITH ET AL YEAST CAKE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31,1921 s Sheets-Sheet 5 fly o 17/ W z/zj o o I j j f Q n; i 2 Q if f Feb.12, 1929.

E. L. SMITH ET AL.

YEAST CAKE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE Filed Aug. 31. 1 21 6Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR i %[%2% ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 12, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELMER L. SMITH AND HORACEIT. PAYNTER, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, AS-

SIG-NORS TO PACKAGE MACHINERY COMPANY, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS,

A CORPORATION OI1 MASSACHUSETTS.

YEAST-CAKE FORMING AND WRAPPING MACHINE.

Application filed August 31, 1921.

The present invention relates to improvements in wrapping machines andassociated mechanism, andhas for its object more particularly theprovision of a combined mechanism for forming a plastic material likeyeast into cakes and Wrapping the same.

In furtherance of this object; mechanism is provided to continuouslysupply to the wrapping mechanism, cakes or articles of uniform size andlength and to Wrap the articles thus supplied in a manner to avoidmutilation of the articles or the wrapper. The Wrapping of yeast cakesis preferably performed with a Waterproof material such as toil, and inconsequence, a further object oi the invention is the provision ofwrapping devices as will properly handle delicate wrapper such as foil.

It is desirable in a machineojf this character to insure the continuoussupply of uniformly shaped cakes or articles for the rapid and efficientoperation of the machine and for this purpose preliminary forming meansare provided to receive the material in slabs of any length supplied andto divide said slabs into blocks of material which will containamultiple of equal length uni ts or cakes. Unit cutting mechanism isprovided to cut the blocks into the unit or single articles togetherwith means for transferring the same to the wrapping mechanism. lurthermore, the feeding and wrapping of a material like yeast require:-iecial treatment to prevent crumbling or estruction oi the cakes, andthe present mechanism designed particularly with the object in view o'iavoiding ssary stresses upon. the material such as friction or pressurewould create.

Other and further ohjects of the invention will appear from thefollowing description talzen in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, and the scope or the invention will he defined in the appendedclaims.

ln thedrawings which show a preferred en'ihodiment of the invention,

1 is a side elevational view of the a rticle-ir'ormin g mechanism;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view on the line III-J11 of Fig. 2;

Fig. l is a similar sectional view on the line l /FIV oi Fig. 2;

' Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view'on the line Serial No. 497,311.

7 line XII-XII of Fig. 8;

Fig. 18 is a small scale diagrammatic View of the'bloclr advancingmeans;

Fig. 1 is a side elevational view of the Wrapping mechanism to which thearticleiorming mechanism is connected;

Fig. 15 is a plan viewotthe same With the upper wrapperdeeding mechanismremoved;

Fig. 16 is a sectional elevational view taken on the line XVI XVI ofFig. 15;

Figs. 17, 18, 19, 20 and 21 are perspective views showing the wrapperand articles in the various steps oi the wrapping operation.

The invention will first be described briefly, to facilitate a clearpreliminary understanding thereot'. It consists in general of theforming mechanism shown in Figs. 1 and Qthat is adapted and arranged toadvance a block of material to a cutting device that successively severeor cuts from the block of material units oi equal length which forconvenience may hereinafter he termed articles. The material supplied tothe forming mechanism may be thousual slab of plastic composition suchas a ycast which may vary in length but which is prcterahly reclaiignlaiin cross section so that yeast cakes ot' regular form and size may becut therefrom by cutting device operating at right angles to the axis ofthe slab or block.

The articles formed by being cut or severed from the block may beconveyed by the conveying means or grippers to a table or machine torsubsequent operations, but for the purpose of disclosing one practicaladvantageous use oi the device it is shown in con nection with awrapping machine to which the forn'ied articles are conveyed and inwhich it is enclosed in a wrapper by successive steps, asshown in Figs.17 to 21. V

A base 1 (see Figs. 1 and 14) is provided and may be supported by theusual standards 2. A bracket 3 is fixed to an end of the base and isprovided with bearings &, 5 and 6. A stud 7 fixed to the bracket 3supports a sliding carriage 8. A shaft 8 rotatably mounted in thecarriage 8 has fixed to its forward end a belt-driving pulley 9 and tothe rear end thereof is secured a wormgear 10 that is in meshingengagement with and driven by a worm 11, fixed to the end of a rotatingshaft 29. A red 12 fixed to the carriage 8 is reciprocably carried in asuitable bearing of the bracket and serves to retain the said carriagein its proper position on the, support 7, as shown in Fig. 1. A shelf 13is supported by a stud 1.4 fixed to thebracket 3 and extends forwardlythereof to a support 15 carried by a bracket 16 (see Fig. 1d). Plates 17fixed to both sides and at the forward end of the shelf 13 carrythere-between an idler-pulley 18. An endless conveying belt 19 iscarried by the pulleys 9 and 18 and as will be seen is supported on itsupper run by the shelt13 A tension spring 20 suitably connected to therod 12 and bracket 3 tends to pull the carriage 3 rearwardly upon itssupport and functions 7 tokeep the conveying belt 19 taut.

A shaft is rotatably supported in the bearing 6 of the bracket 3 andserves as a source of power for driving the forming mechanism and theconveyor belt. This shaft 25 may be driven by a pulley in the usualmanner, but is here shown being operably connected to driving mechanismof the wrapping machine with which the device is used. A gear 26 carriedon the end of the shaft 25 is in meshing engagement with anridler 27carried on a suitable stud of the bracket 3 which idler engages with adriven gear 28 fixed to the shaft 29. The shaft 29 is rotatably mountedin the bearing 5 ofthe bracket 3 and at one portion has the worm 11 fordriving the belt- 19 and at another portion of its length adjacent thegear 28 is provided with a screw-thread 3 that is adapted to drive theforming mechanism, as will later appear.

- A'guide rail 32 disposed parallel to the screw 30 is locatedthereunder and is supported by the bracket 3 at one end and by a bracket16 at its opposite end. A notch 33 is provided in the guide rail andserves to release or let off the forming mechanism from a furtheradvancing movement, in a manner later to be described.

. v The block forming mechanism for cutting the slab of material intopredetermined lengths Wlll now be described with reference particularlyto Figs. 1 to 6, me. A

' sleeve member 36 is mounted for reciprocating movement on the drivingscrew 30 and has a bifurcated or forked portion 36 that engages oppositesides of the guide rail 32 to hold the sleeve member from rotation andto allow its reciprocating movement. A nut member 37 is slidably mountedat one side of the sleeve member 36 and is provided with suitable wormteeth 37 for engaging with the thread 30 of the screw 30. An offsetprojection 38 carried by the nut 3T. best shown in Fig. 6, serves as anabutment against which a compression spring 39 of the member 36 acts.lhis spring 39 tends to move the nut 37 from engagement with the screwwhen released by the forming cutter now to be described A cutter-frame40 has bearing members 41 rotatably mounted on the screw part 30 of theshaft 29 and the inner faces of the bearings 41 abut opposite ends oithe sleeve member 36, whereby the frame 40 may be reciprocated along thescrew by the member 36 and may be swung about the screw 30 for thecutting operation. A downi*ardly-projecting arm 4-2 carried by the rearbearing member 41 is provided with a sliding latch 43. A compressionspring li carried in a recess of the projection 42 bears against thelatch to normally retain it in its latching position shown in Figs 1 and3 A projecting pin t6 carried by the latch 13 is prcfcr- .ably arrangedto intertit a suitable slot in the latch carrier which serves as a stopto limit the outward movement of the latch. The pin 16 may also beraised by hand when desired to release the latch A tension spring 4:? isconnected to a lug 48 of the former a0 and to a downwardlyprojectingspring-carrier ed) secured to the reciprocable sleeve member 36, andfunctions to automatically swing the former -10 to its non-cuttingposition, shown in Fig. 5, when the latch is released by the notch 33 ofthe guide rail 32 The longitudinal side of the former 10 is arranged inthe form of a straight wall or guide 50 against which a slab of materialmay be placed, when the former is in its lowered or operating position,and functions to aline the block or slab of material with res .ct to thebelt and the longitudinal axis of the machine A transverse flange 51 ofthe former 10 has lived thereto a vertically disposed cutting blade 52,which when in its lowered position ad jacent the belt 19 serves anabutment against the rear side of which the forward end of a slabadvancing on the belt to be cut may be located. An operating grip handle15 is fixed to the oscillating former 41-0 to facilitate the manualoperation of the device, to its cutting position. A cam-plate 53 isadjustably secured to the former 10 by means of a wedge member and anadjustingscrew 55. This cam 53 is preferably arranged to move the nut 37to an operating engagement with the screw 30 when the forming cutter ismoved from its non-cutting position in Fig. 6 to its cutting positionshown in Figs. 3 and at. The adjusting V wireor the like an auiustingreel screw to the end of a shaft 66.

means allows the cam to be moved toward the screw to compensate for wearor looseness that may develop in the intertitting nut 37 and threads 80of the screw.

Aswill be observed, the swinging member 40 carrying the cutter 52 is fedalong by th screw until the latch slips through the notch 33 in theguide rail the cutter will swing to the position shown in Fig. 5. Inthis position the nut Si is disengaged from the screw threads so thatthe member 40 may be moved rearwardly to lo cate the knife 52 at therear of a block of yeast on the belt. The pitch or lead of the thread ofthe screw 30 and the arangement of the parts is preferably such that themember iO may be swung); downwardly only at such times as will locatethe cutter at distances from the unit cutting mechanism which will beequal to multiples of the width of the units to be cut. l l ith thisarrangement, as the cutter 52 is lowered it will cut off the end of a.block on the belt so that the block will. be in length equal tomultiples of the units to be cut therefrom The cutter 52 has a furtheradvantageous feature in that when in lowered position it will back up abloclr of yeast ou the belt and while it travels at the same linealspeed as said belt it will tend to feed the block forwardly so that theblock will not slip on the belt; mat is to say, the cutter cooperateswith the belt and acts as a pusher to feed the block forwardly to theunit cutting mechanism.

The unit cutting mechanism for cutting units of equal length from theblock of material and thus successively form articles will now bedescribed with reference to Figs. 7, 8, 9, 15, and 16. A cutter frame6-5) as best shown in Fig. 16, carries in its depending spaced portions61 a cu 'ugr member C of (S3 is provided to tension the cutting member.The cutter frame is adjustably secured. at eel-,0 a bell crank leverGut-hat is red pending arm (:7 of the lever 65 has a camroll 68 at itslower end that 1n, engage ment with the periphery of a cam 67 fixed to m0' l A o 60 the operatin smut no. r spiin is con neeted between thecutter frame 60 and the main f1 31 to hold the cam roll in contactwithits cam 67'. The shaft 66 carrying the lever 65 rotatably andreciprocablyiounted in a suitable bearing 68 used to the frame 31. Thismechanism is adapted and arranged to swing the cutting frame toward 7the block of material carried by the belt in a At this time has asuitahl formed wave like track A downwardl "-de' to the belt and to theaxis of the advancing block.

lhe means for imparting the reciprocating movement to the cut. up; framecomprises a cam 69 fixed to contiuuously-operating shaft 70 of ti omachine against which one end of he oscillatting shaft 66 is adapted tobear by means of the tension spring- 71 connected to the lever andbearing 68. This cam 69 is preferably of such shape as to allow thespring '71 to carry the cutting frame forwardly at an equal'rate ofspeed with the blocl: of material and belt 13 during the cuttingoperation and to return the frame 60 roe wardly the proper distance fora new out after each cutting operation. The coin its periphery to lrcepin contact with the roll 68 of lever during the reciprocating mo vementof shaft 66.

Means are provided to engage opposite sides of the end of tee block, orarticle being cut tilQ1Qf1"D during the cult/in; operation i a ransferthe formed article from the belt to the wrapping mechanism hereinafterdescribed. This mechanism is arranged to advance with the article inunison with the traveling}; belt during the cutting operation andfunctions hold the article being formed by the cutter C during itsoperation and prevents the displacement or disalincmeut thereof withrespect to other units of the machine and i follows:

Gripping members 76 fixed upon vertically disposed swingins' shafts 77are provided with article-engaging surfaces 78 best shown in Fig.8 andare preferably of a shape and size as to lie flush with the verticalforward edges, and the upper and lower edges at each side of thearticlefor the purpose later to be 1 The shafts '1 carrying thedescribed.

pers 78 are provided at their lower ends with gear segments 79, wherebya uniform 1 /rs toward e another for the slipping 'lhe reciprocatingtravel of the grippers so to advance with the article accomplished bythe mechanism shown m ore clearly in Figs. 14, 153 and 16. A fore andaft slide 876 is reciproeabl mounted by a dove-tail 87 one side thereofto the bracket 16, and the gripper shafts 77 before mentioned, arepivotally mounted in suitable bearings carried in said slide 86. Aconnecting rod 88 counects the slide 86 to the operating" lever 89 thatis pivoted to th bed 1 at 90. A cam 91 fixed to and driven'by the shaft93 provided with asuitable cam groove 92 that reeives a cam roll 94. ofthe lever 89, whereby the lever is swung to reciprocate the slide in itsproper timed relation.

The grippers 78 are clamped upon the artis tion but are causedto releasethe article aft r the article has been conveyed by them to the wrappingmechanism, also they are held in an open position during their retLrnmovement to their article-engaging position. This is accomplished by atransversely reciprocating slide 81 carried in the bncnet 1G to the tenward end of which is secured a longitudinally extending lJ-shaped trackor guide 82. in arm-83 carried by one of the gear segments 7 9 has aroll in operable engagement with the guide 82, whereby a reciprocationof the slide 81 and guide 82 swings the arm a nd results in an openingmovement of the grippers. A. can 84; fixed upon the operatingshattprovided with a suitable cam groove (not shown) in which is carrieda cam roll 85 of the slide 81 (see Fig. This cam is preterably adaptedto reciprocate the slide 81 and guide 82 in a timed relation with thecutter and other units of the machine, whereby the grippers are allowedto close upon the article by v the action of the spring 80 and areopened by the lever 83.

The wrapping mechanism will now be dcscribed. A shaft 98' carried by theframes 31 and and is driven by means of a gear 93" fixed'thereto whichis in meshing engagement with a driving pinion 9-1501 the main shatt 9;.A 97 carried by the shaft 98 is in meshing engagement with a grear 98 onthe previously referred to shaft 70 whereby the said shaft 70 receives acontinuous motion. A Ge-- neva driver 99 (see lei) is carried by theshaft 70 and actuates a Geneva wiieel 99 fixed to a hollow shaft 100 fordelivering to thesha'ft- 100" an intermittent motion in the usualmanner. A tumble-box or pocketed wheel 101 is fined to the hollow 100and is pr vided at its periphery with recesses or pockets 101 which areopen at the ends wher by said pocketsare adapted to receive an articleand a wrapper folded about three sides ot said article.

ll rappers for the article are preferably cut from a continuous strip ofwrapping ni: terial by mecl anism now to be described. fr frame 102supports on its upper end an arbor 103 on which may be mounted the usualroll W of wrapping material. Feed-rolls 101- and 105 are rotatablycarried by the frame 102 and are adapted to unwind a proper length ofwrappingmaterial during each cycle of operation of the machine. Asprocket 10$ is 'ixed to the'shaft of the roll 1,02%; and is driven bymeans ot the chain 107 that receives a continuous motion from thesprocket 108 of the shaft 70. "A rod 109 carried by the '1 nine 108guides a weighted roller 110 under which the web of wrapping material isfed, which roller serves'in the usual way to tar-1c up and tension theweb of material. guide plate 111, as shown in Fig. 1 1, is pr vided overwhich the wrapping material is A supporting gage the cam roll of thenippcr link 12? ans channel 13' with caln groove 11-1 in one ta fed.Shears 112 are pivotally supported by a lug 113 of the frame 3 and areoperated to out a proper length of wrapping material from the strip asit is ted therepast. 'lhe shears 112 are operated by a link 113. lever1' pivoted at 11-1" and cam 115 tixcd to the ii apper nippers toposition and deliver the severed wrappers to their position in the lathof an nd between the same and the pocket 101' the wheel 100 will now bed witl reference to Figg s. ii, 13}, and ripper frame 121 having; arigid jaw 1 d to the upper end of u reciproc: blc

A movable jaw 153-1 having a resilshoe 12,.

ient wrapper-551i p pla o 125 is pivotally connected by link 1213 to thelink 127 which is pre erably lnrovided with a roll as shown. The las arearranged in the form o l a loggle, whereby a swin nig movement 01' thelink 127 in one directioi will hold the movable member against the rigidmember 122 whil a movement in the opposite direction will cause themembers to separate to release frame 128 is torlrcd over a rod 2(1 havinan 2LClj11' 1 3lQ stop nut 201) at its outer end to limit the rocking:movement of said frame under the tendency of said spring; An operatinglever i 35) pivoted at 151d is connected by a link 131 to the slide 123and has a cam roll 12:32 engaging; a cum groove (not shown) of the ram 15;; whereby an illation oi the USU lever 13-0 will reciprocate-tlicslide 1221 vertically in a timed relation with the other units of themachine.

A vertical chann l "aching: le *cr 135 pivoted to the frame 16 and saidchannel member serves to enduring its vertical travel,, and as the lever1:35 are oscillated moves the liul; 12? to open or close the nipper jaws":22 and The lever is oscillated by a cam tori; 137 pivotally connectedthereto at 138. The cam tor-k 13? is in sliding engagemoi 1; with nember 13-1; is lined to i a block 139 loosely mounted upon the shunv 2:"and a roll 1-1-0 in operable engagement e o l' the ram 133. The lever135 carries a pin 203 adapted to abut an adpistable stud screw 201-.carried lll) on the frame 128 so that the swinging movement of saidlever 135 to the right viewing Fig. 16 will als swing the rocking frameagainst the tension of the spring 142. ly the arrangement abovedescribed the nippers 122, 125 are caused to travel vertically downwardwhen in closed position tocarry the wrapper w in front of the article tobe wrapped. The Parts ofthe machine are so timed that the articlegrippers T8 are in the act of carrying the article against the wrapperand into the pocket of the wrapping wheel before the wrapper nippersagain reach their upper po sition. Therefore, the nippers 122 and nipperframe 123 are carried outwardly during the upward travel thereof so asto avoid interference with the grippers 78, which is effected by theoutward swing of the frame 128 in which the nipper frame is slid-ablymounted. It will be observed that the swinging lever 135 which carriesthe channel 134 to open the nippers likewise effects the swinging of theframe 128 after said nippers are opened.

Each article a cut by the unit cutting mechanism as hereinbefore dcs bedis successively carried by the grippers '18 :rorn the belt 19 against awrapper and into a pocket 101 of the wrapping wheel which operationcauses the wrapper to be folded about the three sides of the article aas shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 12. Inasmuch as the forwarchthe upper and thelower edges ofthe grippers 78lie flush with the adjacent edges of thearticle the wrapper is in effect engaged and folded by the metalsurfaces of the grippers 7S coacting with the walls of the pocket 101,and thus avoids the chance of mutilating the soft plastic material. ofthe article during this part of the folding operation.

l l rapper clamps 14:4; (see Fig. 1-1) located on both sides of the vraping wheel 101 are supported upon the rods fixed to an oscillating shaft14-6. A lever 1 17 fixed to the shaft 146 is moved in an upward positionby the tension spring whereby a severed wra per is held in its positionbetween the as 14A; and plate 1 19 after the same has been movedtherebetween after the cutting operation. The clamps 1 1% are alsoarranged to yieldingly press the positioned wrapper against the forwardedges of the grippers 78 in the manner shown in Figs. 8, 9 and 12 whenthe article is being transferred with its wrapper by said grippers intothe folding pocket 101'". A cam 150 fix ed on the end of the shaft 23engages a roll. 151 upon the end of the lever 1 17, and is preferably soformed as to cause the clamps to be swung away from the article andwrapper when they have been delivered into the wrapping wheel.

After the article a and wrapper to have been transferred into the pocket101 of the wrapping wheel a side folder 153 is operated to fold down oneflap of the Wrapper shown in Fig. 10. This side folder 153 is fixed to ashaft 15 1 pivoted in the outer end of an oscillating lever 154E fixedto a shaft 155 that is rotatably carried in the hollow shaft 100. Theshaft 155 is oscillated to operate the folder in its proper timedrelation by a lever 156 fixed thereto that has a roll engaging with a amgroove (not shown) in a face of the gear 98 (see Fig. 15). The movementof the folding lever 153 in folding or wiping down the flap 5 of thewrapper is controlled by special connections so that the folding edge153 of said lever 153 will tend to describe a convexly curved path asindicated diagrammatically in Fig. 1O and thus clear the upper corner ofthe article a in the pocket 101 and press by yielding cont-act thewrapper down upon the article. The wrapping wheel in its further advanceprovides a clearance for the return of said folder 153 to its initialposi tion for folding the next wrapper. These special connectionscomprise a link 300 pivoted on a stud 301 fixed to the main frame. A rod302 has a pin and slot connection at one end with the link 300 and isfirmly fixed at its other end to shaft 154.. A spring 303 connectsfolding lever 153 to the lever 15 1 and acts to yieldingly press thefolder against the wrapper and article during the folding operation.

Upon completion of the folding action of folder 153 the wrapping wheel100 is given a partial rotation to bring a succeeding pocket 101 inposition for receiving the next article and wrapper and during thispartial revolution of the wheel 100 a stationary folder 152 acts to foldthe flap (Z of the wrapper down upon the side of the article a so as tooverlap the flap Z) (see Fig. The folding blade 152 is preferably formedas a forward extension of a brush frame 152 which is fixed to the frameof the machine and is disposed circumferentially of the wrapping wheel.100

shown in Fi 141.

l l hen the wrapping wheel has been interinittently operated to'bringits pocket and the partially wrapped article a to the lower side of thewheel end tucks e of the wrapper at each end of the article are effectedas shown in 20. These end tucks are made by vertically moving endfolders 160 one at each side of the wrapping wheel which are carried onroos 161 tired to an oscillating shaft 168 (see Fig. 1 1). The shaft 163is oscillated in proper timed relation by an eccentric 16 1 mounted onthe shaft 93, whica eccentric has an arm 164i pivotally connected to anarm 165 fixed to the shaft 93.

Immediately after the end tucks e are effected, and before the endfolders are completely withdrawn, the first corner tucks 7 (see Fig. 21)are made at each. end of the article by movable tucker blades (see Fig.1 1). The tucker blades 157 are mounted one at each side of the wrappingwheel. upon arms 158 which are in turn carried upon a compoundreciprocating and os-il'- lating frame 159, operated from an eccentric159'" mounted on the shaft 93. The frame 159 is formed with a slottedbearing 158 to travel on a block 350 pivoted on the main frame, at 351whereby said, frame 159 receives from its eccentric 159 a compoundoscillatory and reeiprocatory movement. This movement of the frame 159carries the tucker blades 157 in an elliptical path across the ends ofthe article to withdraw the same downwardly clear of the wrapping wheelat the finish of said folding operation. I

Mounted at each side of the wrapping wheel in a fixed position on theframe are slotted folding horns 16'? having corner tuclv ers 167extending therefrom to a point adjacent the end folders 160 (see Fig.14). As the wrapping wheel carries the article a from its lowermostposition and after the tucks e and f have been effected, and preferablybefore the tucker blades 15?, have left contact with the ends of thearticle. the corners 9- (see Fig. 21) of the wrapper are engaged by thecorner tuckcrs 167 and tucked. against each end of the article. Thecontinued travel of the article tr and its wrapper eventually bringslast remaining flaps '5 of the wrapper into the slots 168 of the foldinghorns which gradually fold down said flaps 2' upon the'ends of thearticle. The wrapper is thus completely folded about the article and inthe further travel of the wrapper wheel, labels or other devices may beapplied to the wrapped article by any suitable mechanism (not shown).

When the article reaches the uppermost position on the wheel, itregisters with an ejection chute 181 intowvhich it is ejectedtransversely from the wrapping wheel on to a table 182 by an. ejector175 reciprocally guided on a support 176. The ejector 17 5 is operatedfrom a link 180 connected to a lever 17 9 pivoted at 179. and operatedby its cam roll 250 working in a groove of the cam 179 fixed to theshaft A brush 166 mounted in the frame 152 is disposed circumferentiallyof the wrapping wheel and. as shown, extends preferably from apointadjacent the position of the receiving pocket to a point adjacentthe position of the ejecting pocket. This brush functionsto hold thearticles being wrapped veyor belt 19in synchronism with the unit cuttingmechanism and wrapping mechanism of the mach ne. The immediatedrivingmeans or screw of the form ng mechanism is adapted to advance theforming cutter at the same rate of speed as the couveyor belt 19 travelsin advancing a block of material toward said unit cutting mechanism, andthe forming cutter blade 52 acts as positively acting pusher for theblock of material to insure proper travel of the same. The belt 19serves as a moving; support for the material as it is advanced by thepusher or cutter blade 52 and might be dispensed with in the case ofless plastic material than yeast which could perhaps be pushed along astationary table without disintegration by friction.

Assuming the ma chine is primed for "tarting operation by proper lengthof block of material placed on the belt 19 in front of the formingcutter 52 for being cut into units of Qt ual length by the unit cuttingmechanism, the operation of the machine will coutinuously adv; ncc saidblock of material toward the unit cutting mechanism. At any time durings d advancing movement of thebloclr, a new slab of material ofllllllllllhlured length may be placed by the opera tor on the conveyorbelt at the rear o l the cutting blade 52 and the forward end of saidslab should be abutted against the rear side of said blade 52 an thelongitudinal side of said slab abuttcd against the side wall 50 of saidforming mechanism. to properly locate and align the slab on the belt.

lVhen the forming cutter 52 has advanced.

far enou h to brin the latch 4-3 to the notch 33 in the guide rail 32,the cutter frame will be swung upwardly by the spring 41-7 to theposition shown in F 5, and the nut 37 will be automatically disengagedfrom the driving screw 30. The forming cutter and its frame 410 may thenbe slid to the rear by grasping the handle 45 prcpa atory to the cuttingof a new block from the advancingslab on the belt.

The forming cutter 52 cannot be swung downwardly for cutting the newblock until the nut 37 is in position for recngaging the threads of thescrew 30 due to the coactiou of the cam 53 with said nut 32'. The pitchof the screw is such that the nut 37 cugageable therewith only when theformingc ittcr at a distance from the cutting plane of the unit cuttingmechanism equal to a multiple of the unit lengths of the articles to becut thereby insuring that each block of material fed to the unit cuttingmechanism will be cut evenly into units or articles for transfer to thewrapping mechanism. l n this manner the operator can lzeep the machinesupplied for cor inuous operation and any remnants or partial units ofmaterial may be. removed from the belt at the rear of the forming:cutter without stopping the machinc.

The unit cut-ting mechanis 1. is arranged to cut the articles from acontimiously advancing block and in order to cut the articles ill)perpendicularly to the axis thereof, the cutting wire C and its trame iscaused to adance uniformly with the block during the cutting operationby the ii'ieclianisu'i described. As shown in Figs. '7, 8 and 9, thecutting wire C during the cutting operation, travels in the path 0 to 0.During this cutting operation, the grippers T8 are clamped witl'iyielding pressure uponthe ends of the unit being cut topic-vent itsdisplacement. As soon as the cutting wire G completely severs the unitor article, it caused to ad Vance forwardly and upwardly from the points0 and c, see I! i ti, and in this tierv d moveu'ient, the cut wire 0 adslightly faster than advancing article a so to clear the t'orward sidethereoi. Upon reachingthe point 0, the cutting wire continues itsmovement and travels backwardly to its initial position 0 ready tornewcutting; operation. After tl e cake or article is sever d by thec-uttins fire C the rrigpers '(S carry it forward faster than the travelof the cut-ting wire C to clcar the same.

Previous to the gripping and transfer of the article a by the grippers78 a wrapper to has been positioned in front of a pocket 101 of thewrapping wheel by the nippers 122, 125 of the wrapper advancing means aspreviously descril'ied, and the wrapper to is securely held in thisposition by being clamped between the plate i l; and yielding clamps14st ready for engagement by the forward edges of the grippers 78 asdescribed. The grippers 78 carry the article with its wrapper into thepocket 101 oi? the wrapping wheel as shown in Fig. 9, raid grippersacting to push back the yielding; clan'ips in the manner shown. Duringthis transfer of the article by the grippers into the pocket, thewrapper w is folded by the pocket and the engo qi :.ig edges of thegrippers so to li abcut three sides otthe article.

After the article and wrapper are received in the pocket, the clamps li-l1 are swungback by the mechanism described and the wrapiing wheel 100begins its ste by step rotation to ca my the article past the varioustold in;- devic s tor completely wrapping the ar ticle as has 7 beendescribed. Lae fully wrapped article is tinallv ejected train the top ofthe wrapping wheel by the ejector l7?) on to the table l 32.

l-Vhile we have shown and described a preferred ei'nbodiment of theinvention in the term ot' particular mechanism designed to arry out thepurposes and objects of the invention, yet itshould be understood thatthe invention is not limited. to the details shown, but is defined as toscope in the appended claims.

What we claim is:

l; n a machine of the cl s. .escribed, unit cutting inec ianism operatedto (:1 material advanced thereto into units oif equal length, i

the material so advanced into a block equal. in

length to a multiple of the units to be cut, and

means for driving said blocl. Iorming mechanism to advance with saidmaterial toward aid unit cutting mechanism.

2. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechai'iismoperated to cut material advanced thereto into units or" equal length,block forming mechanism arrangeifl to term the material so advanced intoa block equal in length to a multiple oi the uni-Us to be cut, meanstordriving said block forming mechanism to advance with said materialtoward said unit cutting mechanism, and means for auton'iaticallyreleasing said block forming mechanism from said driving means whenadvanced to a point adjacent said unit cutting mechanism.

3. In a machine ot the class described. unit cutting mechanism operatedto cut material advanced thereto into units o'l' equal length, anunderlying support for said material traveling;- with the same. to saidunit cutting mechanism, and block forming mechanism arrai'iged to formthe material so advanced into a block equal in length to a multiple ofthe units to be cut.

4. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism operatedto cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length, acontinuously moving support tor said mate rial traveling with the sameto said unit cutting mechanism, block forming mechanism arranged t formthe material so advanced into a block equal in length to multiple oilthe units to be out, and means tor driving said block forming mechanismto advance with said material toward a id unit cutting mscluu nism atthe. same rate of speed as said traveling support.

5. in a machine 01": the class described, unit cutting; mechanismoperated to cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length,block forming,- mechanism arranged to term said material so advancedinto a block equal in length to a multiple of the units to be cut,comprising a forming cutter movable to cut said material, means fordriving; said block forming mechanism advance with said material towardsaid unit cutting; mechanism, and means tor automatically disconnectingblock teeming mechanism from said e ivinc means when advanced to a pointadiaccnt aid unit cutting; mechanism.

, 6. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanismoperatml to cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length,block forming; mechanism arranged to term said n'iaterial so advancedinto a block equal forming mechanism b6 advance with said materialtoward said unit cutting mechanism,

said unit cu means for automatically disconnecting said block formingmechanism from said driving means when ad *anced to a point adjacentsaid unit cutting mechanism, and means for reconnecting said blockforming mechanism to said driving means only when said forming cutter isat a distance from the cutting plane it the unit cutting mechanism equalto a multiple of the unit lengths.

7. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism operatedto out n erial advanced thereto into units of equal length, blockforming mechanisn'i ar 'angcd to form said material so advanced into ablock equal in length to a multiple of the units to he cut, comprising aforming cut-to; movable to cut said material, means for driving saidblock forming mechanism to advance with said material toward said unitcutting mechanism. means for automatically disconnecting said blockforming mechanism from said criving means when advanced to a pointadjacentsaid unit cutting mechanism, and means for "econnecti1gsaidhlock forming mechanism to said driving meansv only when said tormingcutter is at a distance from. the cutting plane of the unit cut-tingmechanism equal to a multiple of the unitlengths, said torm' cutterbeing movable to cut material only'when said loloc l: forming mechanismis in a position for being connected to said driving means.

8. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism operatedto cut mat rial advanced thereto into units of equal leng block formingmechanism arranged to tr said material so advanced into a block equa inlength to a multiple oi -e units to he cut, comprising a forming cuttermovable transversely of the block to out said material, means permittingthe operation of said torming cutter to cut said material only when saidi'orming cutter is at a distance tn in the cutting plane of said unitcut mechanism equal to a multiple of the unit len 9. ln machine of theclass dose a conveyor for advancing with i tting mechanism, bl clmechanism fill'tlllgGCl to form said material so advanced ablock equalin length to multiple of the units to he cut. compiisi forming cutternuwahle to cut the material, and means tor driving said block to minemechanism to advance with said material at d as said conveyor, said aspusher for an ad a vancing block oi material on. said conveyor.described,

10. In a machine of the class unit cutting mechanism operated to cutmaterial advanced thereto into units of equal length, a conveyor foradvancing with material to said unit cutting mechanism, block formingmechanism arranged to form said material so advanced into a block equalin length to a tiplo of the units to be cut, comprising; a formingcutter movable to cut the material, means for driving said bloclrforming mechanism to advance with said material at the same rate ofspeed as said conveyor, said Forming cutter serving; as a pusher for anadvancing block oi? material. on said conveyor, and as an abutment forlocatii'i r the forward end of a sicceeding block of material. 1

ll. In a mi l mach ie of the class described, unit cuttii inecl anisnioperated to cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length, aconveyor tor advancing with matc- "ial to said uiit cutting mechanism,block "orming mechanism arran 'red to 'iorni said "erial s: advancedinto a block cqual in v l to a n'iultiplc oi the units to be cut prisinga forming; cutter mo able to out material, means for driving; said blockining' meclianisiu to advance with said lliit'GJltIl at the same rate otspeed as said conveyor, said torminfi; cutter serving as a pusher for anadvancing block of material on said conveyor and as an abutment torlocating the forward end of a succeedinn block of inateriai, and meansarra iged i'or resetting said block forming mechanism at variousdistances from said unit cutting: mechanism but permitting he connectionot said block form- 1 n echanisin to its iilrivingg means onl at fromthe cutting plane of said g; mechanism equal to a multiple nit lengths.

machine oi the class described, eshanisin opcratml to cut niatheretointo units of equal r to: advancim;- with matcil cutting mechanism.block nism arranged to form said u in to its driving means only at adisthe ruilin n jililllOOfFlld,HI1ll'Cl1i ianism ecu al to alllrlll'lpltl of: said thi, said termin cutter being move material onsaid convey r only when said it forming: meehanisn'i is in a ion to betouncoed to the driving nica ns.

13. in a machine of the cass described, unit. cutting mec ianismoncrated to cut mulcrial ad anced thereto into units Of equal lit) llllllength, block forming mechanism arranged to form said material soadvanced into a block equal in length to a multiple of the units to becut, comprising a forming cutter movable to out said material, means fordriving' said block forming mechanism to advance with said materialtoward said unit cutting mechanism, means operated by the cuttingmovement of said forming cutter to connect said bloclrtorming mechanismto its driving means, said forming cutter being movable to out saidmaterial only when at a distance from the cutting plane of said unitcutting mechanism equal to a multiple of the unit lengths.

14. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mecl anismoperated to cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length,block forming mechanism arranged to form said iinaterial so advancedinto a block equal. in length to multiple of the units to be cut,comprising a forming cut-ter movable to out said material, means fordriving said block forming mechanism to advance with said materialtoward said unit cutting mechanism, means automatically disconnectingsaid block forming mechanism from its drii ing means when said formingcutter reaches a point adjacent said unit cutting mechanism, meansoperated by the cutting movement of said forming cutter to connect saidbloclr forming mechanism to its driving means, said forming cutter beingmovable to out said material only when at a distance from the cut tingplane of said unit cutting mechanism equal to a multiple of the unitlengths.

15. In a machine oi the class described, unit cutting mechanismcomprising a movable cutter operated to cut material advanced theretointo units of equal length, means for advancing material to said unitcutting mechanism by a continuous movement, and means to operate saidunit cutting mechanism to out said units at right angles to the axis ofthe material being advanced, comprisinga carrier for said movable cutterarranged to ad- VSJICG during said cutting operation at the same rate ofspeed as said advancing material and means to yieldingly embrace thesides of the units being cut during the cutting operation. V

.16. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanismcomprising an 0scillating cutter for cutting material advanced theretointo units of equal length, means for advancing mate 'ial to said unitcutting mechanism, a reciprocating carrier for said cutter and means foradvancing said carrier during said cutting operation at the same rate ofspeed as said advancing material and means to yieldingly embrace thesides of the units being cut during the cutting operation.

17. Ina machine of the class described,

' unit cutting mechanism operated to cut ma terial advanced thereto intounits of equal length, block forming mechanism arranged to form saidmate *ial so advanced into a block equal in length to a multiple of theunits to be cut, a driving screw for advancing said block formingmechanism toward said unit cutting "mechanism, means for connecting saidblock forming mechanism with said driving screw comprising a nut memberfor engagement with said driving screw.

18. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism operatedto cut material advanced thereto into units of equal length, blockforming mechanism arranged to form said material so advanced into ablock equal in length to a multiple of the units to be cut, comprising aforming cutter movable to out said material, a driving screw foradvancing said block forming mechanism toward said unit cuttingmechanism, means for connecting said block forming mechanism with saiddriving screw comprising a nut member, means operated by the movement ofsaid forming cutter in cutting said material to engage said nut memberwith said criving screw, said screw being engageable with said drivingscrew only when said forming cutter is at a distance from the cuttingplane of said unit cutting mechanism equal to a multiple of said unitlengths for engagement with said driving screw.

19. In a machine of the class described, mechanism to cut a block ofmaterial into units of equal length, block forming mechanism arranged toform material into a block having a length equal to multiples of saidunits and to feed the formed block to the unit cutting mechanism, andmeans for em bracing the unit while it is being cut from said blockadapted and arranged to separate it from the block after the cuttingoperation.

20. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism forcutting successive units from a bloclr oi material while the block isbeing advanced, mechanism for ad-' vancing the block to the unit cuttingmechanism and in unison therewith and for form ing the material into ablock having a length equal to multiples of said units.

21. In a machine of the class described, unit cutting mechanism forcutting a block of material. advanced thereto into units, a belt foradvancing a block to said mechanism, a

cutter movable towards and away from said belt for cutting a blockthereon, a support for said cutter arranged to allow a cutting move mentof said cutter only when it is located at distances from said unitcutting mechanism which are equal to multiples of the lengths of theunits to be out.

In testimony whereof they have aifixed their signatures.

ELMER L. SMITH. HORACE J. PAYNTER.

